SERCOS International to release encoder profile, open source driver library
In the first and second generation SERCOS interfaces, absolute and incremental encoders were connected to the servo drives or to the control system via a separate fieldbus, and not directly to the real-time bus. Because of the universal use of real-time Ethernet-based SERCOS III, there has been a demand to directly integrate encoders into a SERCOS III network. The new encoder profile ensures that the functions (absolute or relative) are made available via clearly defined vendor-independent interfaces. The profile defines the functions supported by a device and how these functions may be used by other devices, such as control systems or servo drives.
SI also will provide an open source software driver library for the SERCOS III real-time Ethernet communication system master implementation. The driver software will be available as source code, without any license fees or usage limitations.